From the cracked mud and seemingly barren plains comes an eruption of color on the alluvial terraces of the Great Valley of California. A succession of rainbows of color in concentric rings around the drying vernal pools -- small, rain-filled depressions with an impermeable layer of clay,hardpan or volcanic material that prevents the water from percolating downward -- vernal pools support a flora and fauna found nowhere else on the face of this planet. Vernal pools were once widespread in the Great Valley, as were the wildflowers that characterize these unique habitats; about 90% of the state's vernal pools are now gone.
Enjoy a program on this fascinating habitat by one of the state's authorities on the subject. Carol Witham, editor of Ecology, Conservation, and Management of Vernal Pool Ecosystems, will present a slideshow on the distribution, ecology, and unique flowers and aquatic organisms of vernal pools.
Sun Apr 28 @10:00AM - 02:00PM Rancho Cañada del Oro OSP (Morgan Hill) |
Mon Apr 29 @ 8:00AM - Lake Cunningham Native Garden |
Thu May 02 @ 7:00PM - 08:30PM Bringing Beauty and Biodiversity to an Urban Preserve, a talk by Stephanie Saffouri (with Laura Powers and Petra Boester) |
Fri May 03 @ 9:00AM - 12:00PM Friday Edgewood Restoration |
Sat May 04 @ 8:00AM - Lake Cunningham Native Garden |
Sun May 05 @10:00AM - 02:00PM Calero Park Native Plant Hike (South San Jose) |
Mon May 06 @ 8:00AM - Lake Cunningham Native Garden |
Fri May 10 @ 9:00AM - 12:00PM Friday Edgewood Restoration |
Sat May 11 @ 8:00AM - Lake Cunningham Native Garden |
Sun May 12 @10:30AM - 01:30PM Plant ID Walk at Alum Rock Park (East San Jose) |